Seed starting

Vegetable · Seed

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Start indoors

Feb 18 – Mar 4

Transplant outdoors

Mar 18 – Apr 1

Sow outdoors

Mar 18 – Apr 1

Start indoors for fall

Jul 9–23

Set out for fall

Aug 6–20

Spring crop goes in with the peas. Fall crop starts in a July tray in light shade.

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost.

Vegetable · Seed

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Start indoors

Mar 18–25

Transplant outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Sow outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Peat pots if you start them — the root does not like a move. Warm soil, not a cold May.

Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Transplant 1–3 weeks after last frost.

Vegetable · Crown

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Plant crowns

Mar 18 – Apr 8

One-year crowns in a trench. Do not cut a spear the first spring — let the fern feed the root.

Plant crowns 1–4 weeks before last frost. Soil about 50°F before anything goes in the ground.

Fruit · Seed

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Start indoors

Mar 18–25

Transplant outdoors

Apr 29 – May 13

Sow outdoors

Apr 29 – May 13

Peat pots. Set out into black plastic or a warm hill. Nights below 55°F stall the vine.

Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Transplant 2–4 weeks after last frost.

Fruit · Dormant stock

Peach

Prunus persica

Plant dormant stock

Mar 18 – Apr 8

Plant dormant. A late frost takes the bloom — site it high, not in a hollow.

Plant dormant stock 1–4 weeks before last frost. Soil about 40°F before anything goes in the ground.

Flower · Seed

Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

Start indoors

Feb 4–18

Transplant outdoors

Apr 1–15

Cool-season spike. Start in winter light; set out with the peas.

Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Transplant 0–2 weeks before last frost.

Flower · Seed

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Start indoors

Mar 4–18

Sow outdoors

Mar 4–25

Transplant outdoors

Apr 1–15

Nick the seed. A cold trench now, a perfume screen in May. Not the soup pea.

Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost. Transplant 0–2 weeks before last frost.

Herb · Seed

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Start indoors

Mar 25 – Apr 1

Transplant outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Sow outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Soak the pea-like seed. Poor soil for more flower. A trap crop at the brassica edge.

Start indoors 3 weeks before last frost. Transplant 1–3 weeks after last frost.

Herb · Seed

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Start indoors

Mar 18 – Apr 1

Transplant outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Sow outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

A taproot — peat pots or direct. Keep it away from dill if you want true seed.

Start indoors 2–4 weeks before last frost. Transplant 1–3 weeks after last frost.

Herb · Seed

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

Sow outdoors

Mar 18 – Apr 8

Sow for fall

Aug 20 – Sep 10

Greens in the pea window; seed if you let it bolt. A fast catch crop.

Sow outdoors 1–4 weeks before last frost. Fall sow 5–8 weeks before first frost.

Herb · Seed

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Start indoors

Mar 18 – Apr 1

Transplant outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Sow outdoors

Apr 22 – May 6

Taproot — peat pots or direct. A still, warm summer to ripen seed.

Start indoors 2–4 weeks before last frost. Transplant 1–3 weeks after last frost.

Herb · Cutting

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

Start indoors

Mar 4 – Apr 1

Transplant outdoors

Apr 15 – May 6

A cutting or a named pot, never a free-range bed. Seed is a mutt mint.

Start indoors 2–6 weeks before last frost. Transplant at last frost through 3 weeks after.